School of Medicine honors staff members for their contributions

The School of Medicine Staff Awards were recently presented to four staff members in honor of their contributions to the school during the 2017-18 academic year. A reception was held in October.

Joan Harris Staff Development Award

The School of Medicine named Ginny Petrie the recipient of the 2017-18 Joan Harris Staff Development Award. The School of Medicine annually awards this honor to a non-faculty employee who demonstrates excellence in job performance, significant achievements in leadership, a humanistic approach to work and exemplary service to the school. Petrie is the executive director of the Clinical Translational Science Collaborative of Cleveland, a collaborative among Case Western Reserve University and its affiliated hospital systems, including Cleveland Clinic, The MetroHealth System, University Hospitals and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. Petrie has worked at CWRU for more than 10 years. At the recipient of the award, Petrie received a cash award, a commemorative crystal plaque and her name inscribed on the Joan Harris Staff Development Award plaque in the Biomedical Research Building lobby.

Staff STAR Award

The School of Medicine selected Christian Essman as the recipient of the 2017-18 Staff STAR Award. The School of Medicine established the Staff STAR Award to recognize a non-faculty employee who demonstrates Supportive, Team-oriented, Authentic and Respectful interactions with others. Essman is the director of admissions for the School of Medicine and has worked at CWRU for 13 years. Essman also is a past recipient of the Joan Harris Staff Development Award. As the honoree, Essman received a cash award and commemorative crystal plaque.

Diversity Award

The School of Medicine recognized Brinn Omabegho as the recipient of the 2017-18 Staff Diversity Award. The School of Medicine established the Staff Diversity Award to recognize a non-faculty employee who actively promotes diversity and inclusion within the university. Omabegho is the department manager for the Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology and has worked at CWRU for 16 years. Omabegho also is a past recipient of the Joan Harris Staff Development Award. As the recipient, Omabegho received a cash award and commemorative crystal plaque.

Staff Mentoring Award

The School of Medicine honored Molly Gillahan as the recipient of the 2017-18 Staff Mentoring Award. The Staff Mentoring Award recognizes a non-faculty employee who demonstrates outstanding mentorship qualities to multiple School of Medicine staff. Gillahan is the operations manager for the Office of Student Affairs and provides support to the Office of the Academic Societies. She has worked at CWRU for six years. As the honoree, Gillahan received a cash award and commemorative crystal plaque.